UK Defence Training on Trafficking 

 

 

Rights Lab project lead: Kevin Bales 
Funder: UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner 
Duration: November 2024-March 2025 
Programme: Law and Policy 

 

This project responded to the 2024 Ministry of Defence policy "JSP 985: Human Security in Defence" material on modern slavery and human trafficking, which notes responsibilities for UK Defence to: respond to and where possible, prevent incidents of trafficking; raise awareness of how to recognise, respond and refer victims and survivors; and improve the collection of data, monitoring and analysis of trafficking in the context of crises, including protective and risk factors, to support stronger responses. The policy also explains that that training and guidance related to modern slavery and human trafficking should be reflected in the appropriate courses at the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration (DCPLA), and has a chapter on integrating human security into training and education, noting that a through-career Human Security (HS) education and training pathway needs to be implemented. 

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner commissioned a piece of exploratory qualitative research to establish what existing training provision exists and options for improving the provision. This project established key areas of focus for a training approach, by examining existing training provision, its potential gaps, and potential routes to closing those gaps. It used desk-based research and key informant interviews.